Was minding my own business driving her home, grannying it around and all of a sudden I come to a traffic light and you hear that gravel grinding on metal kinda noise...

The car started pulling to the right under braking and I've got a noise coming from the front passenger side. I get out when I get home to see what teh deal is and I discovered that lovely surprise.

I figured if it was worn down pads then I'd have heard it squealing or something?

Either way, new car, new surprises, new parts.

 

Sounds like you have a sticking brake caliper or a brake flex hose that is collapsed internally. This will cause the symtoms you described.

I would jack the car up and try to turn each wheel by hand, see which one turns easily than the other. You might have to apply the brakes a few times beforehand to make them stick on.

Good time for a front brake upgrade. Do a search and you will find lots of options.

 

well after a while the squealers on the brake pads wear off and you are left with little or no pads and they can sometimes be quiet. the pads are shot and the rotors are too, time for an upgrade or rebuild. i would suggest an upgrade. you will be glad you did it.

 

By the way it ONLY makes that noise and starts pulling while braking, and the grinding noise only happens sometimes, usually at low speed.

While just driving it's fine. Does that change the prognosis at all? Because sticking caliper didnt make sense to me since if I wasnt braking, the car ran fine.

 

To be honest, I think it might just be time for new pads and rotors... simple wear and tear could be the cause of this problem.

 

new pads rotors and brake lines.